import java.util.*;
public class Main{
    public static void main(String[]args){
        Scanner scan=new Scanner(System.in);
        int n=scan.nextInt();
        int[]arr=new int[n+1];
        for(int i=0;i<n;i++){
            arr[i]=scan.nextInt();
        }
        int i=0;
        int count=0;
        while(i<n){
            if(arr[i]<arr[i+1]){
                while(i<n&&arr[i]<arr[i+1]){
                    i++;
                }
                count++;
                i++;
            }else if(arr[i]==arr[i+1]){
                i++;
            }else{
                while(i<n&&arr[i]>arr[i+1]){
                    i++;
                }
                count++;
                i++;
            }
        }
        System.out.println(count);
    }
}